Platelet donation

[vixb1]

I got confirmation today that I am able to donate platelets. I'm so pleased!

My plan is to do it once a month. I've got an appointment next week to go and see the donation centre and then I assume book my first appointment after that.

Does anyone have any experiences they can share? How does it make you feel during and afterwards? Can I drive home afterwards? Could I work on my laptop whilst I'm hooked up? I'm hoping I can just go and work at the centre for a few hours.

Any hints and tips anyone can offer up would be welcomed!

I can't answer your questions but just wanted to say a big thanks for doing this. My DS went through chemo when he was little and had roughly 30 platelet transfusions during the 2 years. I'll always be grateful to anyone who donates blood/platelets

I'd love to give back but I'm not allowed due to illness

I hope it goes well

Are they now accepting women for platelet donation ? The Scottish transfusion had a blanket policy of not accepting donations from women due to the risk of certain antibodies if they had ever been pregnant.

Might check to see if they've changed their policy as I know they were considering a new test that would allow women to be screened as potential donors.

I don't know anything about the donation process for platelets exce[t that the donors seem to be in for about 2 hours and are invariably reading or playing on their phones.

I didn't know that @Blistory. I was asked as a regular blood donor to consider platelet donation - that would have been back in 2006 ish in Ninewells - although I was young and childless. Unfortunately I failed as my veins were not strong enough to cope with the process and the flow of blood was insufficent for them to take a viable donation.

@frustrationcentral

I can't answer your questions but just wanted to say a big thanks for doing this. My DS went through chemo when he was little and had roughly 30 platelet transfusions during the 2 years. I'll always be grateful to anyone who donates blood/platelets

I'd love to give back but I'm not allowed due to illness

I hope it goes well

Thanks for replying. I'm so sorry to hear about your son, but it's such a good driver to find the time to do it if it helps little ones to recover. Hoping it all goes to plan from here!

@Blistory

Are they now accepting women for platelet donation ? The Scottish transfusion had a blanket policy of not accepting donations from women due to the risk of certain antibodies if they had ever been pregnant.

Might check to see if they've changed their policy as I know they were considering a new test that would allow women to be screened as potential donors.

I don't know anything about the donation process for platelets exce[t that the donors seem to be in for about 2 hours and are invariably reading or playing on their phones.

Interesting about the female only, I had no idea that is or was a thing.

I was asked at a regular blood donation if I wanted to be tested to be a donor because I had the correct blood type. They know as part of my history that I have children and have been pregnant. It took 6 weeks to have my blood tested, so I'm guessing whatever it is that means women can't be donors, I've been tested for it already?

Another thank you from a dm of a dc cancer survivor who needed platelets its an amazing thing you are doing.

DH donates platelets. He feels fine afterwards, drives straight home and just makes sure he drinks plenty of fluids for the rest of the day.

He takes his kindle because he's only got one free arm while he's donating - the other has the needle / tubes in and has to be straight out to allow flow. If you can work ok with one hand you might be OK.

@iklboo

DH donates platelets. He feels fine afterwards, drives straight home and just makes sure he drinks plenty of fluids for the rest of the day.

He takes his kindle because he's only got one free arm while he's donating - the other has the needle / tubes in and has to be straight out to allow flow. If you can work ok with one hand you might be OK.

That's handy to know, thanks. I don't think I'd get much done with one hand, I'll just take my phone and do that one handed!

@nicknamehelp

Another thank you from a dm of a dc cancer survivor who needed platelets its an amazing thing you are doing.

Great to hear your DC described as a survivor. :-)

This is interesting, thank you. I have signed up but have t been tested yet as I wasnt able to get an appointment. This is a good reminder to try again as I am a- and apparently that's what they need.

@vixb1 I’m really keen to donate - I was set to have a (blood?) test at my most recent blood donation, but they cancelled the donor session due to staff illness . Now, due to the really odd way they plan donor sessions here I can’t book another blood donation appointment before January. When I can though I’m really hoping to donate platelets too.

it may help some people with ITP (autoimmune disorder where the body destroys platelets) mostly they have medication when having ops or it goes too low but for some people it can be necessary to have platelets

They also message DH when they've sent his donation somewhere - just the name of the hospital / area but he really likes seeing that and knowing he's helped someone.